Fire-escape



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. S. O-OON.

FIRE ESCAPE.

'No. 405,397. Patented June 18, 1889.

, CLZL Qw i/bvyeoow (N0 Model.) 3 ShG'BtS -SIIGGT, 2.

W. S. GOON.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 405,397. Patented June 18, 1889..

. (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W.,S-. OOON. FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 405,397. Patented June 18, 1889;

.UNITED I STATES Y PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. COON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 405,397, dated June 18, 1889.

Application filed December 24, 1888- Serial No. 294,484. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. OOON, of

Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this application.

My improvement relates to fire-escapes built upon or attached to the outside of buildings in a permanent manner; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and definitely claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved fire-escape attached to the face of a building and between two vertical lines of windows. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, showing a modification in the construction of the platforms. Fig. 3is a diagram showing an elevation of the zigzag platforms and the connecting-balconies.

It is the design of my improvement to provide a permanent fire-escape located between two vertical tiers of Windows and not occupying much space, by which persons can descend without difficulty and in perfect safety. To this end I employ the following construction:

AA AA are four bars, rods, or other supports attached to the face of the building and extending to any desired height and forming the supports for the platforms, hereinafter described. These bars or rods are braced together by cross-bars and anchored firmly to the wall. a a and Z) Z) are a series of platforms attached inside the bars and forming the means whereby descent is made from any of the stories of the building. These platforms are in the nature of curbs or cages arranged in zigzag and alternative form and opening inward toward each other at the center. The person descending steps from the first platform down into the second, then turns around and steps from the second into the third, and so on till the bottom is reached.

In Fig. 1 the sides of the platforms are caged with wire-cloth as a guard. In Fig. 2 metallic bars are shown. Any other suitable material may be used for the purpose. The bottoms of the platforms, which form the stepping-surfaces, may be made of wood or metal. The sides of the fire-escape at right angles to the wall maybe covered by continuous linings of wire-cloth c c, as shown in Fig. 1. These cages, it will be noticed, are open at the top and on the inner side, but are closed onall the other sides, by which means the person can readily descend from one to another, but is protected against falling out. They are of such size as to allow freedom of action in descending.

B B are balconies at the different stories of the building communicating with the fire-escape. They may be made double, extending from the windows on opposite sides, as shown at the top and bottom of Figs. 1 and 2, or they may be made single, extending from the windows on one side only, as shown intermediately in said figures. In the latter case they preferably alternate at the different stories, one being on the right and the next on the left, and so on. Each balcony opens into the back of one of the cages, the covering being removed for the purpose, and thus free access is obtained to the fire-escape without interfering with the passage above or below. At the entrance into the escape from the balconies there is also a double height,which facilitates quick passage-en advantage especially when fire is following closely in the rear.

G is a tubular stand pipe passing up through the fire-escape next to the wall of the building. Its lower end connects with the water-main and its top is closed. By this means water under pressure is carried to the top of the structure, or to any desired height.

D D are short hose-pipes, connected at one end to couplings (Z (Z of the stand-pipe, and provided at the other with nozzles f f, by which water can be sprayed into the windows or at any other desired point. These hosepipes are located at the different stories, to be used whenever necessity may require. They may be used on one or both sides of the fireescape. They also furnish the means for spraying water into and through the escape to keep the same 0001.

One great advantage of this invention is, that it is a complete substitute for stairs, and occupies but little space, and can be located in a vertical line and between two tiers of windows Without interfering with or darkening the same. Stairs cannot be so arranged, as an incline is necessary to locate them, and in many instances they have to be made of zigzag form, occupying much of the face of a building, covering more or less of the windows, and presenting an unsightly appearance.

I contemplate in some instances making the front rods A A in tubular form for the passage of water and perforating them to allow water to spray through the whole structure, or at any desired point of same. If, desired, the whole structure may thus be made hollow and perforated, by which means a great amount of water may be sprayed,wetting the whole fire-escape and the front of the building contiguous thereto.

Another advantage is, that the openings between the succeeding cages, in front of one and above the next, enables ladders to be put up and access obtained to the interior, enabling firemen to enter for the rescue of the inmates.

It is designed to make the cages of such size as to allow the passage of but one person through a cage at once, so that no danger can occur by the entrance of several persons, and no clogging can take place.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fire-escape consisting of a series of cages attached to suitable supports and arranged in a vertical line, said cages alternating and forming steps, whereby a person can descend by stepping from one to another, as herein shown and described.

2. A fire-escape consisting of vertical bars or rods attached to the face of a building, and a series of cages attached thereto alternating in position and forming steps, whereby aperson can'descend by stepping from one to another, as herein shown and described.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination of vertical bars or rods forming a support, a series of cages attached thereto alternating in position, forming steps,whereby a person can descend by stepping from one to another, and balconies opening into the back of the cages, as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM S. COON. IVitnesses:

R. F. Oseoon, P. A. Cosricri. 

